Park Board Chair Stuart Mackinnon's statement on Komagata Maru memorial

I am saddened and angered to hear of the defacement of the Komagata Maru memorial. 

This is a despicable, cowardly act that must be called out. The perpetrators must be caught. There is no place for hate in our city.

This is not the first time this monument has been vandalized, and while the perpetrators’ motivation isn’t yet clear, it shows enormous disrespect to those who travelled and suffered on the ship and to their families. 

It is shocking and heartbreaking that a community which has been historically marginalized has once again been subjected to a hateful act. 

Everyone at the Park Board condemns in the strongest terms this abhorrent act of racism. We stand in solidarity with the South Asian community.

Stuart Mackinnon, Chair
Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation